“Jotashield Extreme is a result of Jotun’s extensive efforts to develop an exterior paint product that can not only reflect heat but also promote a reduction in energy use,” said Faisal Karim, marketing manager, Jotun Paints - Saudi Arabia.

“This new offering reflects our move to raise the benchmark of environment friendly production techniques and products within the paint manufacturing industry and demonstrates our commitment to promote the adoption of more eco-friendly products and solutions to today's businesses.”

“These are very exciting times for Saudi Arabia’s construction market with over $180 billion of projects in the pipeline or are currently underway. However, the increasing number of projects has also created unique demands for unique products, particularly in paint products that can ably reflect heat and the damaging effects of the sun,” he added.

The continuing development in urban areas in Saudi Arabia is expected to produce an Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, a phenomenon where metropolitan areas become slightly warmer than its surrounding rural areas.

Studies have shown that the temperatures in urban air domes in Saudi Arabia can run up to four degrees centigrade warmer than the surrounding countryside.

The UHI effect prompts an increase in air conditioning costs and also creates more air pollutants.

Jotun’s Jotashield Extreme makes use of revolutionary pigment technology that allows surfaces to enjoy a darker shade of color but with a thermal indoor comfort and longer lasting protection.

Jotashield Extreme exceeds the international GS-11 standards for paint and offers twice the heat reflective capabilities of ordinary exterior paints.

The revolutionary exterior paint product promotes indoor thermal comfort with its heat reflective pigments and protects surfaces from Near Infrared (NIR) effect by reducing temperature that also results in a reduction in energy consumption, according to the statement.